ed to her of the world outside, quite, I fancy, as Othello
may have spoken to Desdemona, but with a more conservative and a
better impulse. I unfolded to her the wonders of great London,
the pleasures of Paris, the beauties of Venice, the sacred
mysteries of Rome, the noble traditions of Athens. I journeyed
with her up the Nile and down the Rhine. One night we were in gay
Vienna, another in Berlin, a third in the grandeur of the
Alhambra. From the fjords of Norway to the tea houses of Japan
was the journey of a few minutes, and the indifference of my
surfeited life gave way before the kindling enthusiasm of this
lovely country girl, whose world had been the area of scarcely
more than a township.

But the paternal relation, however honest and commendable my
intentions, did not seem to thrive as I had fondly hoped. Only in
her teasing moments would this vivacious creature admit the
solemnity of our compact, and when she called me "papa" there was
always that gleam of the eye, with that merriment of tone, which
may not have been disrespectful but was certainly not filial.
This troubled me exceedingly. I thought it all over and one night
I said to her:

"My dear Phyllis, it has become only too evident that you do not
entertain that deferential feeling for me which a daughter should
have for a father. I shall not describe your emotions as I have
analyzed them, but I am satisfied that we shall not make a
complete success of my long cherished plan. However, I am not
prepared to withdraw unreservedly from my schemes for your
comfort and happiness, and since you cannot look upon me as a
father, or treat me like a father, I have another suggestion to
offer. Let me be your elder brother, and watch over and guard you
as a brother's duty should direct. There shall be no diminution
of my love, no retraction of my promises. Perhaps, in the feeling
that I am your brother, you will talk with me with greater
frankness, and feel more closely drawn to me, and we shall be all
the better and the happier for the change."

Thus speaking I took her pretty hand and carried it respectfully
to my lips, at the same time patting it affectionately and
assuring her of my brotherly devotion. And this incomprehensible
girl threw back her head and laughed; then burst into tears,
laughed again, flushed to crimson and ran out of the room. I was
grieved beyond measure. Had I done wrong so quickly and rudely to
sever a connection so holy? Had the filia